Özgür Ferhat submits Parliamentary Question on support for olive producers affected by wildfires
Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat (New Left Party) has submitted a parliamentary question to the Ministers of Rural Development & Food and Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, calling for the immediate payment of outstanding state aid to olive producers affected by the devastating wildfires of summer 2023.
Under the Joint Ministerial Decision published in March 2024 (Government Gazette B’ 1891/26.03.2024), farmers whose olive groves and agricultural equipment were damaged by the wildfires in July, August, and September 2023 were granted emergency state support. Half of the aid was paid in advance.
In total, more than 2,100 beneficiaries received around €15.67 million, with approximately €394,000 allocated to producers in Rodopi and €7.38 million to those in Evros. However, 18 months after the first installment, the remaining funds have still not been disbursed.
Ferhat stressed that the delay places significant economic pressure on producers who are still struggling with the consequences of the natural disaster. He addressed the following questions to the government:
- When will the remaining state aid be paid to eligible olive producers?
- What concrete timetable has been set for the completion of payments?
